STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACTSSEPH
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina
SHIP: Ortelius
Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea
10/11/2023, 20/11/2023, 10/11/2024, 20/11/2024
All Meals Onboard The Ship
Group Transfers On Disembarkation to the airport
Cabin on board a ship
Daily Antarctica Landings, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team
An Emperor Penguin rookery is situated south of Snow Hill Island. The captain of the vessel will do his utmost to position the vessel close enough to Snow Hill Island in order to enable us to offer ship-to-shore helicopter transfers to approx. 45 minutes walking distance from the Emperor Penguin Rookeries. If we succeed, this will be a fascinating and a once-in-a lifetime experience. During this voyage we will reserve three days to visit the Emperor Rookeries by helicopters.
To whet your appetite, watch this video then imagine yourself there!
Emperor penguins, Snow Hill Island Weddell Sea © Ruedi Abbhuel-PolarNews from Chimu Adventures on Vimeo.
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels.
A typical itinerary in the Weddell Sea could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. We will sail into the Weddell Sea and if the Antarctic Sound is accessible and the ice does not prevent us to sail further, we might see the huge tabular icebergs that announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The use of helicopters has a great advantage and can support us in our goal to reach the Emperor penguin colony, but the itinerary is ruled by the forces of nature, ice and weather conditions. If the conditions are favourable, we intend to spend the first two days in the Emperor penguin rookery. The helicopter operation will take a full day and the flight duration takes approximately 15 minutes. The helicopter can accommodate 6 passengers per helicopter flight. The landing point of the helicopters will be carefully chosen and we will make sure that the Emperors penguins are not disturbed or stressed by helicopter noise. Therefore, after arrival, the passengers continue their expedition on foot. After a walk of approx. 45 minutes, passengers will experience an amazing rendezvous with the magnificent Emperor penguins. Keep in mind that we are in the world’s most remote area and there are no guarantees, including a specific amount of helicopter time. Conditions may change rapidly, having its impact on the helicopter operation and passengers should understand and accept this. Safety is our greatest concern and no compromises can be made.
If conditions were favourable on both day 5 and 6 and we have successfully visited the Emperor penguins, we may decide to visit Devil Island, Vega Island, Brown Bluff or Hope Bay. If we have not reached the Emperor penguin colony on one or two of the previous days, we will try again offering ship-to-shore helicopter flights to Snow Hill Island.
In the morning we plan to visit Half Moon Island where we can see Chinstrap- and Gentoo penguins, various other bird-species, Southern Elephant seals and Weddell seals. Early in the afternoon we will sail to Deception Island where we have the last landing of our voyage at Pendulum Cove or Whalers Bay.
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
*** Important - Please be sure not to book flights out of Ushuaia before 12PM on the day of your cruise departure.
See a rookery of Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill
Explore further with the help of the ships onboard helicopter
With its origins in Poland, the M/V Ortelius now plies the waters of the Antarctic and Arctic as an ice-strengthened Polar expedition vessel. It is named after the Flemish cartographer and geographer, Abraham Ortelius, who also created the first modern atlas. Adept at navigating through solid one year sea-ice and loose multi-pack ice, this ship is ideally suited to reaching more remote locations such as the Ross Sea. The comfortable M/V Ortelius accommodates up to 116 passengers. Cabins range from quadruple and triple cabins with portholes and both upper and lower berths, to twin porthole, window and deluxe cabins with lower berths only up to superior cabins which feature a double bed. The ship has plenty of open-deck spaces as well as a large bridge accessible to passengers. Alongside the expedition team that is made up of an expedition leader plus 5 guides/lecturers, the ship is manned by 34 extremely experienced Russian nautical crew, 15 international catering staff and a doctor. On board there are also two restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. There are 11 Zodiacs on board, maximising time spent on shore and wildlife opportunities.
Ice Class:
Length: 90.95m / 299.4ft
Breadth: 17.20m / 57.8ftMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 14.5 knots
Electricity: 240 volts Passenger
Capacity:116 passengers & 52 Crew & Staff
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
Hiking excursions are among the most popular options in Antarctica as many itineraries are short and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Guided hikes lead you to amazing vantage points and allow even closer interaction with local wildlife, so don’t forget to pack your camera!
Learn MoreWeddell Sea - In search of Emperor Penguin | Ortelius from AUD 18,335 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
10 Nov 2023 | 20 Nov 2023 | 11 |
20 Nov 2023 | 30 Nov 2023 | 11 |
10 Nov 2024 | 20 Nov 2024 | 11 |
20 Nov 2024 | 30 Nov 2024 | 11 |
All on-board accommodation
All meals throughout voyage including snacks, coffee and tea
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
Ship-to-shore helicopter transfers (with no specific amount of helicopter time guaranteed)
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
Complimentary use of rubber boots & snowshoes during voyage
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
Comprehensive pre-departure material
Exclusions
Airfares to/from embarkation and disembarkation city
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel/medical insurance
Personal expenses (such as laundry, on-board telecommunication)
Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
Optional activities not mentioned in itinerary
Adventure Activities
Available upon request. Please contact us for more details. No single supplement will apply if willing to share in selected cabins.
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. Price is based on Quad Share.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
Departure Date, Fuel Surcharges, Cabin Category, Currency Fluctuations, Seasonality & Availability.